London tops MasterCard's global destinations index

Bangkok, Singapore among the top five destinations of choice

Star Business Desk

Bangkok and Singapore have made it to the top five spots on the annual MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index as the destination of choice for international travellers, MasterCard said in a statement.

London has topped the index for the third time in four years, according to the statement.

Now in its fourth year, the MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index provides a ranking of the 132 most travelled cities from around the world.

According to the study, London is projected to receive 18.7 million international visitors in 2014 with Bangkok 16.42 million and Singapore 12.47 million.

“Rounding out the top five cities are Bangkok, Paris, Singapore and Dubai, which are benefiting from a surge in international travel, fuelled by an expanding middle class, innovations in luxury travel and the rising need for business travel,” MasterCard said.

The index also indicates this surge will continue, even as more technology and collaboration tools become available to businesses.

“The index points to a continued strong demand and interest in air travel, both for business and personal travel,” said Ann Cairns, president for international markets at MasterCard. “The recognition of this year's top international destinations reinforces the continued importance of cities as business, cultural and economic hubs. And, that's where we come in,” Cairns said.